HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Community Development & Community Services Committee 2016-08-25RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, August 25, 2016
Minutes of a Regular meeting of the COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT/
COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer
County, Colorado. Meeting held in Town Hall in said Town of Estes Park on the
25th day of August, 2016.
Committee:
Attending:
Also Attending:
Absent:
Chair Walker, Trustees Holcomb and Norris
Chair Walker, Trustees Holcomb and Norris
Assistant Town Administrator Machalek, Directors Hinkle,
Hunt, and Fortini, Manager Lynch, Coordinators Benes and
Johnson and Recording Secretary Doering
Town Administrator Lancaster
Chair Walker called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m.
PUBLIC COMMENT.
None.
CULTURAL SERVICES.
REPORTS.
• Verbal Updates and Committee Questions - Museum Director Fortini reported the
collections facility final rendering should be completed by September 1, at a
minimum the street scape would be available. A public event and kickoff party for the
fundraising efforts would be held at the Stanley Hotel Concert Hall on September 18
with an unveiling of the design along with several other events. He reported the quiet
fundraising efforts are going well.
COMMUNITY SERVICES.
RESOLUTION FOR SURPRISE SIDEWALK SALE. Director Hinkle presented a
Resolution for the Surprise Sidewalk Sale on October 8 and 9 to approve a variance to
the Municipal Code to allow for signage and to the Development Code to allow
merchandise to be displayed outside in the downtown corridor. Trustee Walker
questioned the possibility of approving a three-year variance so this would not need to
be discussed every year. Director Hinkle agreed this would be beneficial as he does this
twice a year. Assistant Town Administrator Machalek stated he would discuss the option
with Attorney White and if statutorily allowed a three-year variance would be presented
to the Town Board at the September 13 Town Board meeting. The Committee
recommended the approval of the Resolution as an Action Item at the September
13, 2016 Town Board Meeting.
REPORTS.
Reports provided for informational purposes and made a part of the proceedings.
• Event Update - Coordinators Benes and Johnson updated the Committee on past
and upcoming events as stated in the packet. Elkfest has a new logo this year, with
50 vendors to date, and an increase in vendor fees. Coordinator Johnson stated
staff would hold discussions with REI at the Stanley about their possible involvement
in Elkfest. Winefest was coordinated by a local winery. The event was sold out with
200 walkups on Saturday because of the exposure in Bond Park. Winterfest would
kick off the Town Centennial events. This year the event would include a viewing
room for people who want to watch a football game. Coordinator Johnson provided
an update on recent feedback from the Farmer’s market, stating comments have
been received that the music has been too loud. Prior to this comment there has
been no negative comments, only positive.
• Sales and Marketing Report - Manager Lynch stated she continues to work on two
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Community Development / Community Services - August 25, 2016 - Page 2
major bookings, USA Gymnastics level 8 championship in April 2017 with an
audience size of 2500-3000, and Ram Katha, a spiritual retreat. An Indian Dignitary
from India would be in attendance with approximately 1000-1500 attending the 9-day
event. The ticketed event would be televised.
Committee Questions and verbal update - Trustee Walker questioned if event
locations are competing against each other, and if what the Town offers is affecting
bookings, rather than advertising. Manager Lynch stated the main issue continues to
be the lack of onsite housing near the Event Center in booking conferences. For this
reason. Manager Lynch has focused on other events that fit the amenities offered by
the Event Center. Trustees Holcomb stated concern with the deficit of the Event
Center and questioned if a profitability analysis has been completed for events.
Director Hinkle commented staff is considering increasing revenues, looking at
expenses, and evaluating current events and the impact of each. This information
would be part of the budget discussions this fall. Manager Lynch and Director Hinkle
commented staff continues to work on standardizing event contracts for public
ticketed events, commercial private events and a local non-profit events, all with
specific pricing guidelines.
Shuttle Update - Coordinator Wells stated ridership in August would likely exceed
past totals. The Brown route continues to grow and the Gold route is ahead of last
year.
Committee Questions and verbal update - Coordinator Wells stated per rider cost
would be approximately $3.00 and purchasing over leasing buses would keep costs
down. Information regarding expanding service would be included in the budget
meeting. Coordinator Wells also stated more locals are utilizing the shuttle service.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
SIGN CODE AMENDMENT FOR SHUTTLE BUSES.. Director Hunt presented
amendments to the Sign Code that would allow advertising to be displayed on the
Town run shuttle buses. Interest in advertising has been expressed at several
points, with the possibility to recouping operating costs for the shuttles. The
amendment would allow any public transportation vehicle operated by the Town of
Estes Park and that runs on a schedule to display advertising. Discussion amongst
the committee ensued as to whether or not the code amendment would apply to in
both the Town limits and County; would the County Commissioners need to approve
the routes; and has the potential revenue been determined. Staff would confer with
Attorney White on the impacts the proposed changes might have in relation to
County regulations. Coordinator Wells stated the Sign Code as well as logistics of
how each bus is used must be considered before rates and revenues could be
determined.
The Committee recommended the approval of the proposed amendments to
the Sign as an Action Item at the September 13, 2016 Town Board Meeting.
There being no further business. Chair Walker adjourned the meeting at 8:^1 a.m.
S^retary